You are flying a kite at an angle of 70 degrees. you have let out a total of 400ft of string and are holding the reel steady 4 feet above the ground. a friend watching the kite estimates that the angle of elevation to the kite is 85 degrees. how far from your friend are you standing?

Question

Mathematics

Madeline Bird

22 March, 13:27

You are flying a kite at an angle of 70 degrees. you have let out a total of 400ft of string and are holding the reel steady 4 feet above the ground. a friend watching the kite estimates that the angle of elevation to the kite is 85 degrees. how far from your friend are you standing?

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Answers (1)

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Sincere Skinner · Answer 1

Answer: 170 ft away

First, find the height of the kite from the ground:

h + 4 = 400 sin 70

h + 4 = 379.88 ft (from the ground)

Then, my distance to the directly downwards of where the kite is flying is:

d = 400 cos 70

= 136.8 ft

Then the distance of my friend from me:

D = 136.8 ft + (379.87) tan 85

= 170 ft